Thread: AM CB is it still of value?

I must admit I've had a small Uniden 27MHz unit sitting on the shelf for the past 4 years. I took it out of the old RR and have never fitted it to the new one. I was going to fit it to the County but I sold the County.

I think they still have value in some areas. A lot of people don't realise that they operate in the HF band (3-30 MHz) so can sometimes make long distance communications. If I was doing some trips a bit further from civilisation, I'd fit it even though it's not a HF set in the generally accepted sense. I suppose the usual foul-mouthed individuals are still on the 27MHz band.


Ron

Truckies still use them to talk to each other. I plan to fit one to my rig. I still need to get a vehicle mounted UHf as well.

I have a ssb/am as well as the uhf , i only just fitted a antenna base for the ssb/am today all i need is a antenna , and yes they are good for long distance with the right conditions

ill be keeping mine in the car

I've got 27mhz AM and UHF in the disco.

27mhz is alot quieter these days, since all the morons have moved to UHF.

I tend to use either, depending on who I'm travelling with
- sometimes one will have an advantage over the other: further, clearer

I'll stick to having the choice

Stevo

Originally Posted by p38arover

I suppose the usual foul-mouthed individuals are still on the 27MHz band.


Ron

Nah, they seem to have found the UHF band and the language has got worse, so much that I wont turn it on with the kids in the car

There are some people in our club with older trucks that can;t justify buying a new UHF because it would just about double the (fiscal) value of the vehicle ! An AM radio would be handy for communicating with these on club trips. Therefore, if you are getting rid of it, throw it my way mate !

If I didn't have one (and I don't), I wouldn't buy one (or at least I wouldn't pay much for one).

If it's a choice between UHF or 27MHz - then definitely the UHF set !


And yes there are penisheads aplenty (wonder if the auto censor will pick that up) around town but the d---head factor drops off once you get out of town, and its generally safe (ish) to turn it on around the kids then.

Theres not a lot of room to bolt two in,,
and I dont think you'd use it much.

I have a Mundara SY-201 hand-held 27mhz unit. It's still VERY useful on the highways. Being hand-held, it's easy to either remove the battery pack and run it off the vehicle's power (and also connect it to a proper external whip aerial from inside) or run it by itself out of the car. The top section separates from the lower battery pack and is about the size of a normal mike handpiece. You slide on a cable connector to the bottom where the battery went and that gives you external power connectivity.

A great unit - I don't think that you can get them any more.





The specs (from an eBay item currently going):

Mundara SY-201 AM/SSB Handheld. This is the Australian version of the very popular US Cherokee AH100.
Features Include:

• • Complete 40 Channel AM/USB/LSB operation.
  • Only 6.5 inches tall. A true revolution in design!
  • Digital LCD "Information Center" provides complete operation information, including both channel and frequency readout.
  • Five preset memory locations.
  • Slide-Out battery Ni-Cad batteries pack included.
  • Battery life enhancement circuitry dramatically extends talk time between charges.
  • Auto channel scan.
  • "Dual Watch" for monitoring two channels at the same time.
  • Clarifier control for fine tuning incoming SSB signals.
  • Mic-Gain and RF Gain for maximum signal processing.
  • Squelch control for eliminating background noise.
  • Key lock prevents unauthorized use.
  • One touch access to Emergency Channels 9 and 19.
  • Selectable High/Low power output.
  • Wrist strap and belt clip.
  • Plug-in jack for external speaker/microphone.

Detailed Specifications

GENERAL

Channels:

40
Frequency Range:

26.965 to 27.405 MHz
Frequency Control:

Phase Locked Loop (PLL) synthesizer
Frequency Stability:

+\- 0.001%
Operating Temp:

-5 F to +110 F
Power Source:

DC 7.2V to 13.8V
Impedence:

50 Ohm
Dimensions:

7.5"H x 2.75"W x 1.5"D
Weight:

9 oz. (w/o batteries)
Antenna Connection:

BNC




TRANSMITTER



*Power Output:



AM @ 12.0V:
SSB @ 12.0V:
-

High: 4.0W Low: 1.0W
High: 6.0 W - 10.0W W PEP
Low: 2W PEP
Modulation:

Amplitude Modulation
Current Drain:

Less than 1200 mA
Frequency Tolerance:

+/- 400 Hz max




RECEIVER



Sensitivity:



AM @ 12.0V:
SSB @ 12.0V:

1.0 V for 10 dB S/N
0.8 V for 10 dB S/N
Image Rejection:

Greater than 70 dB
Audio Output Power:

500 mw
Freq. Response:

300 - 3000hz
Standby Current:

50 mA w/o battery save mode


Radio has been modified for wide band RX from 25.165 to 29.645 (10 banks of 40 channels).

Reconditioned battery pack (10x 1100ma Ni-mh). Near new speaker mic. Slip on 12vdc adaptor (for mobile or base use). BNC to SO-239 adaptor to use for external antenna. Power output is 4 watts AM and 10watts SSB with adjustable mic gain. Manual in electronic format will be supplied on CD. After market desk top stand and drop in charge holder (ready to connect to an appropriate Ni-mh charger).